Meet the Chinese Silver Grass
Chinese Silver Grass | Miscanthus sinensis
How do you know it’s me?:
I am a medium-large herbaceous, perennial, ornamental grass…considered INVASIVE in many US states.
I grow in a clumping habit, with arching leaves.
My long, linear leaves are green, sometimes with a white or yellow stripe along the midrib. They are flat and have very finely serrated edges (which feel pretty sharp).
My blooms emerge as spiky panicles, that (for some varieties) develop into more of a tufty, cotton-y texture. Sometimes these are at the height of the leaves, and other times they emerge above the leaves.
How big do I grow?: 4’ - 12’ height and 4’ - 6’ spread.
Sun-seeker or shade-lover: Full sun to part shade.
Where I prefer to put my roots: I am adaptable to most soil types and can grow in moist and dry conditions.
Hardiness: Zone 5-9
Original home: I am native to Asia.
Colors: My blooms are typically a creamy white, though they can also be pinkish-red, and I can have yellow to red fall color.
When I bloom: Different cultivars bloom at different times, but most occur in summer to fall.
Wildlife friends: Birds will consume my seeds, which does not help in the effort to contain my spread. My tendency to out-compete native plant communities is harmful to wildlife.
Flora Fun Facts: I am highly flammable!
More Info: Not long ago, this plant was a popular landscape selection, until it rapidly gained recognition as an invasive plant in the eastern US. Its ability to produce prolific amounts of seed, and spread through its root systems, has earned it a place on the naughty list and made it very difficult to control. It can also grow in low light, producing tough competition for native grasses.
A member of the Poaceae (grass) family.
Also goes by the name of “Maidengrass.”
This grass is invasive in many US states, including North Carolina. It is often seen growing along roadsides. There are infertile cultivars that have been bred to prevent self-seeding. These include ‘My Fair Maiden,’ ‘Cabaret,’ ‘Scout,’ ‘High Frequency,’ and ‘Bandwidth.’
It is recommended to avoid planting this grass, and instead consider native alternatives like Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), Northern Sea Oats (Chasmanthium latifolium), and Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii).
